Over-a-door support for cervical traction apparatus

ABSTRACT

A device intended to be removably attached to the top of a door for supporting cervical traction apparatus. The device is particularly directed toward applying cervical traction at home or in a doctor&#39;&#39;s office or where more elaborate traction support structure commonly found in a hospital, or the like, is unavailable. The device includes adjustable structure that adapts it to a variety of different doors having various thicknesses, i.e., it fits all common doors without the use of normal attaching devices and/or tools, e.g., screws, threaded clamps, screwdrivers, etc. A significant feature of the device is that it may be repeatedly attached to a door without marring or defacing the surface thereof so that when not in active use, it may simply be lifted off the top of the door and stored in any out of the way convenient location.

United States Patent Brewer Oct. 3, 1972 [72] Inventor: James P. Brower,Memphis, Tenn.

[73] Assignee: Richards Manufacturing Company,

Memphis, Tenn.

[22] Filed: Nov. 16, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 89,839

[52] US. Cl. ..128/75, 248/226 B [51] Int. Cl. ..A6lh 1/02 [58] Field ofSearch..128/7S, 83, 84; 248/214, 226 B [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,843,114 7/1958 Hall ..128/75 2,282,653 5/ 1942I-Ierzmark ..128/84 C 1,772,176 8/1930 Benjamin ..248/214 X 2,879,0233/1959 Barrier et a1. ..248/226 B 1,760,346 5/1930 Correa ..248/226 B2,840,241 6/ 1958 Callais ..248/226 B X 2,940,442 6/ l 960 Wilhelm128/75 2,811,965 11/1957 Richards ..128/75 3,585,992 6/1971 Vessels..128/75 3,063,445 11/1962 Ries ..128/75 2,938,695 5/1960 Ciampa..248/214 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 802,869 2/ 1951 Germany..248/226 B 295,556 12/1953 Switzerland ..248/226 B 416,981 l/ 1967Switzerland ..248/226 B 6/1943 Denmark ..248/226 B PrimaryExaminerRichard A. Gaudet Assistant ExaminerJ. Yasko Attorney-John R.Walker, 111

[57] ABSTRACT A device intended to be removably attached to the top of adoor for supporting cervical traction apparatus. The device isparticularly directed toward applying cervical traction at home or in adoctors office or where more elaborate traction support structurecommonly found in a hospital, or the like, is unavailable. The deviceincludes adjustable structure that adapts it to a variety of differentdoors having various thicknesses, i.e., it fits all common doors withoutthe use of normal attaching devices and/or tools, e.g., screws, threadedclamps, screwdrivers, etc. A significant feature of the device is thatit may be repeatedly attached to a door without marring or defacing thesurface thereof so that when not in active use, it may simply be liftedoff the top of the door and stored in any out of the way convenientlocation.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEU E 3 'FIG. I

FIG. 3

FIG. 2 43 39 INVENTOR.

I JAMES F. 'BROWER OVER-A-DOOR SUPPORT FOR CERVICAL TRACTION APPARATUSBACKGROUND OF'THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention This inventionpertains to the field of door hangers for supporting an apparatus usedin applying traction to the head portion of a human being.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art known by the applicantconsists of the Stowell et al U.S. Pat. No. 2,674,996; the Wilhelm U.S.Pat. No. 2,701,564; the Hall U.S. Pat. No. 2,843,114; the Ciampa U.S.Pat. No. 2,938,695; and the Ries U.S. Pat. No. 3,063,445. The U.S. Pat.No. 2,674,996 is particularly directed toward a novel semi-rigidheadgear especially adapted for providing a generalized distribution ofpressure on the various parts of the head of a patient undergoingcervical traction and is in no way associated with a door. The US. Pat.No. 2,701,564 utilizes a door support bracket formed from a singlemetallic blank which is adaptable to the thickness of one specific door.This invention appears to have two unique features, i.e., traction isapplied by tensioning the traction cord, thus eliminating the need for aweight; the structure of the device provides for packaging and/orshipping in a knocked-down condition so as to be readily assembled bythe user or purchaser.

The U.S. Pat. No. 2,843,114 also utilizes a doormounting bracket formedfrom a single sheet of metal which limits its utilization to a door of apredetermined thickness. This invention appears to be particularlydirected toward providing an improved orthopedic head sling.

The U.S. Pat. No. 3,063,445 utilizes a device which may be adapted to adoor or a bed. The parts of the device are secured to one another inadjustable positions by the use of screws. The device is adjustable soas to be compatible with different thicknesses of doors, however, theadjustment involves manipulating of the impinging screws.

The U.S. Pat. No. 2,938,695 incorporates a bracket which engages the topof the door and has structure which automatically adjusts the bracketwith doors of varying thicknesses. However, the structure of this deviceis dependent upon the door being in a closed position relative to itsdoor frame when the bracketarm apparatus is in use. Additionally, thebracket-arm apparatus must be positioned on the side of the door whichis opposite the door stops adjacent the margins of the door. Theselimitations present the following problems to the user: First, the userand/or the doctor may prefer that the door remain open. Secondly, theuser may prefer to use the traction apparatus in one room, however, thedoor stops prevent the U.S. Pat. No. 2,938,695 apparatus from being usedon that side of the door. Thirdly, treatment of this nature incursprolonged utilization on a frequent basis, accordingly, the doorpassageway is denied access by other persons of the household when beingused in a home, and administrative personnel when being used in adoctors office or the like. i.e., Fourthly, the door conceivably may beinadvertently opened while the traction apparatus is being utilized, i.the person utilizing the apparatus being on one side of a solid door,and a second person opening the door from the opposite side. This wouldundoubtedly cause an objectionable incident,

i.e., the bracket-arm apparatus becoming disengaged from the top of thedoor would fall down, possibly injuring the patient.

7 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towardovercoming the disadvantages andproblems relative to previousover-a-door supports for cervical traction apparatuses. The deviceincludes adjustable structure that automatically adapts it to a varietyof different doors having various thicknesses, i.e., it fits all commondoors without the use of nonnal attaching devices and/or tools, e.g.,screws, threaded clamps, screwdrivers, etc. A significant feature of thedevice is that it may be repeatedly attached to adoor without marring ordefacing the surface thereof so that when not in active use, it maysimply be lifted off the top of the door and stored in any out of theway convenient location.

The device is intended to be used in conjunction with a door while thedoor is open. This is a distinct advantage over some prior devices whichcontemplated the use thereof in conjunction with a door while the dooris in a closed position. The advantages of attaching cervical tractionapparatus to an open door as opposed to a closed door are: (l) Thedevice may be attached to either side of the door; (2) a doctor orphysiotherapist being of opposite sex than that of the patient may feelmore comfortable while in a room with a patient while the door remainsopen; (3) The door does not block the passageway while the cervicaltraction apparatus is being used, accordingly, persons other than thepatient may come and go through the passageway at their will andpleasure without disturbing the patient; (4) The possibility of anobjectionable incident, i.e., the closed door being inadvertentlyopened, thus disengaging the door-engaging device which may fall ontothe patient, is precluded; (5) The patient is able to observe theactivity in the immediate area, a natural human tendency that is deniedan individual in a closed room.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of theover-a-door support for cervical traction apparatus of the presentinvention, showing the cervical traction apparatus in a preferredenvironment applying traction to a human head while supported by a door,the head being phantomized.

FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the bracket means showing the upperportion thereof.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectionalized view similar to FIG. 1 but showingthe door engaging structure in greater detail.

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view showing the engaging relationship of thebracket means with the main support member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The over-a-door support 11 ofthe present invention is intended to be used with the usual cervicaltraction apparatus including the usual head support 13, i.e., a headhalter or head traction sling, the usual weight 15, and the usualtraction cord 17. The one end of the traction cord 17 is attached to theweight 15, and the other end thereof is attached to the head support 13,in a usual manner obvious to those skilled in the art.

The support 11 comprises a main support member 19, formed from strapsteel or the like so as to have a right triangular-like shape,substantially as depicted in FIG. 1 of the drawings, i.e., including avertical portion 21, a horizontally disposed base portion 23, a diagonalportion 25 extending from the vertical portion 21 to the base portion23, and an upper horizontal portion 27 integrally attached to thevertical portion 21 adjacent the upper end thereof. The diagonal portion25 preferably terminates with an upturned vertical portion 29 fixedlyattached to the vertical portion 23 in any well known manner, e.g.,welding or the like.

A pair of pulley assemblies 31, 33, being fixedly attached to the bottomside of the base portion 23 in any well known manner, e.g., rivets orthe like, threadedly receive the intermediate portion of the tractioncord 17, as best viewed in FIG. 1. Thus, the weight is suspended by thetraction cord 17 directly beneath the pulley assembly 31 and thetraction cord 17 is threadedly received by the pulley assemblies 31, 33so that the head support 13 is suspended by the opposite end of thetraction cord 17 directly beneath the pulley assembly 33, with the headsupport 13 supporting a human head H in a well known manner.

The support 11 includes a bracket means 37, formed from plate steel orthe like having the shape of a rectangle whose width preferably issubstantially twice the width of the steel stock from which the mainsupport member 19 is formed. The bracket means 37 is provided with atransverse slot 39 (FIG. 2) adjacent the upper end thereof for slidablyreceiving the upper horizontal portion 27 of the main support member 19,as best viewed in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The length of the slot 39 isslightly greater than the width of the main support member 19 (FIG. 4)and the width thereof is slightly greater than the thickness of theportion 27 of member 19. In this regard, it should be pointed out thatthe main support member 19 preferably is completely plastic-coated by afluidized bed plastic coating process well known to those skilled in theart, with the coating consisting of vinyl chloride resin 41. Obviously,the dimensions of the slot 39 are determined subsequent to theabovementioned fluidized bed plastic coating process so that the bracketmeans 37 may freely slide to and fro along the upper horizontal portion27 of the member 19, for reasons yet to be disclosed.

The bracket means 37 includes an inwardly directed radius 43superadjacent the slot 39 and an outwardly directed radius 45 subjacentthe slot 39 respectively defining the upper and lower surfaces of theslot 39.

The vertical portion 21 of the member 19 contiguously engages the oneside of a door 47 while the upper horizontal portion 27 thereof reachesover and is resting upon the top of the door 47, as best viewed inFIG. 1. The length of the portion 27 preferably is greater than thethickness of any door 47 to which the support is intended to beattached, i.e., the slidable bracket means 37 making provisions foradapting the support 11 to a variety of different doors having various21, it is free to slide to and fro along the upper horizontal portion27, i.e., the inwardly directed radius 43 moving upwardly away from theupper surface of the portion 27 and the outwardly directed radius 45moving downwardly away from the lower surface of the portion 27.Additionally, it may be seen that urging the lower end of the bracketmeans 37 away from portion 27 causes the inwardly directed radius 43defining the upper surface of the slot 39 to diggingly engage the uppersurface of the horizontal portion 27 and the outwardly directed radius45 defining the lower surface of the slot 39 to diggingly engage thelower surface of the horizontal portion 27. Accordingly, it should nowbe obvious that the bracket means 37 may be selectively placed along thelength of the horizontal portion 27 so as to maintain a rigidsubstantially parallel relationship with the vertical portion 21 and isanchored to the horizontal portion 27 when a force is applied to thebracket means 37 which tends to urge the lower part thereof leftwardly(see FIG. 3) or away from the vertical portion 21. In other words, thebracket means 37 may be rigidly maintained in infinite locations alongthe length of the portion 27.

The bracket means 37 additionally includes an inwardly directed bowedportion 49 adjacent the lower end thereof for tangentially engaging thedoor 47, i.e., the vertical porticgn 21 contiguously engages a side 51of the door 47 and the bowed portion 49 of the bracket means 37tangentially engages a side 53 opposite the side 51. The bowed portion49 assures that a force is exerted leftwardly adjacent the lower end ofthe bracket means 37 by tangentially engaging the side 53 of the door 47so as to diggingly engage the opposing radii 43, 45 respectively withthe upper and lower surfacesof the horizontal portion 27, i.e., thelength of the bracket means 37 is used as leverage.

In order to preclude the bracket means 37 from becoming disassociatedwith the main support member 19, when the device 11 is detached from thedoor 47, a stop rivet 55 is placed adjacent the outermost end of thehorizontal portion 27. An aperture 57 is provided adjacent the outermostend of the portion 27 for frictionally receiving the conventional stoprivet 55 or the like.

From the above disclosure; it should be apparent that the support 11 ofthe present invention is adapted to be attached to the top of a varietyof different doors hav ing various thicknesses. In operation, thesupport 1 1 is simply placed over the top of a door 47 with the verticalportion 21 contiguously engaging the side 51 of a door 47, the upperhorizontal portion 27 reaching over and resting upon the top of the door47, and the bracket means 37, being slidably positioned along thehorizontal portion 27 to the desired location, pulling the verticalportion 21 contiguously against the surface 51 of the door 47, aspreviously described. The user places the head support 13 about his headH in the usual manner and opens the door 47 to the desired positionpreferably placing a chair (not shown) directly beneath the support 11.The one end of the traction cord 17 is then attached to the head support13 and is threaded through the pulleys 31, 33, as previously described,so that the other end of the traction cord 17 may support the weight 15in the usual manner, with the user assuming a sitting position upon thechair (not shown). The duration of time which the traction is appliedand the frequency thereof is optional and prescribed by the doctor orphysiotherapist.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respectto a preferred embodiment thereof, it is not to be so limited sincechanges and modifications may be made therein which are within the fullintended scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An over-a-door support for cervical traction apparatus having a headsupport including a head sling, a weight and a traction cord attached atone end to said weight and at the other end to said head support, saidover-a-door support comprising a main support member including avertical portion for contiguously engaging one side of a variety ofdifferent doors having various thicknesses and a base portion forextending horizontally outward from the side of the door, said mainsupport member including an upper horizontal portion attached to saidvertical portion adjacent the upper end thereof for reaching over thetop of the door, bracket means comprising substantially verticalplatelike structure including a lower portion for engaging one side ofthe door and including an upper portion slidably attached to said upperhorizontal portion and defining holding means including a transverseslot having inwardly and outwardly directed arcuate portions for holdingsaid vertical portion in constant contiguous engagement with the door,and pulley means fixedly attached to said base portion receiving saidtraction cord intermediate the ends thereof. subjacent 2. An over-a-doorsupport for cervical traction apparatus having a head support includinga head sling, a weight and a traction cord attached at one end to saidweight and at the other end to said head support, said over-a-doorsupport comprising a main support member including a vertical portionfor contiguously engaging one side of a variety of different doorshaving various thicknesses and a base portion for extending horizontallyoutward from the side of the door, said main support member including anupper horizontal portion attached to said vertical portion adjacent theupper end thereof for reaching over the top of the door, bracket meansslidably attached to said upper horizontal portion for holding saidvertical portion in constant contiguous engagement with the door, andpulley means fixedly attached to said base portion receiving saidtraction cord intermediate the ends thereof; said bracket meansincluding platelike structure provided with a transverse slot adjacentthe upper end thereof for slidably receiving said upper horizontalportion of said main support member, said platelike structure includingan inwardly directed radius superjacent said slot and an outwardlydirected radius subjacent said slot respectively defining the upper andlower surfaces of said slot for diggingly engaging the respective upperand lower surfaces of said upper horizontal portion of said main supportmember selectively along the length thereof so as to maintain a rigidsubstantially parallel relationship with said vertical portion of saidmain support member for-engaging the opposite side of a variety ofdifferent doors having various thicknesses.

3. The device of claim 2 in which said platelike structure of saidbracket means includes an inwardly pirected bowed portion ad'acent thelowgr epd thereof or tangential y engaging t e opposite si e o a varietyof different doors having various thicknesses.

4. The device of claim 1 in which said main support member isplasticcoate,d with a coating consisting of vinyl chloride resin.

5. An over-adoor support for cervical traction apparatus having a headsupport including a head sling, a weight and a traction cord attached atone end to said weight and at the other end to said head support, saidover-a-door support comprising a main support member'having a righttriangular-like shape including a vertical portion for contiguouslyengaging one side of a variety of different doors having variousthicknesses with the base portion of said triangle extendinghorizontally outward from the surface of the door, said main supportmember including an upper horizontal portion integrally attached to saidvertical portion adjacent the upper end thereof for reaching over thetop of the door, bracket means including platelike structure providedwith a transverse slot adjacent the upper end thereof for slidablyreceiving said upper horizontal portion of said main support member,said platelike structure including an inwardly directed radiussuperjacent said slot and an outwardly directed radius subjacent saidslot respectively defining the upper and lower surfaces of said slot fordiggingly engaging the respective upper and lower surfaces of said upperhorizontal portion of said main support member selectively along thelength thereof, said platelike structure including an inwardly directedbowed portion adjacent the lower end thereof for tangentially engagingthe opposite side of a variety of different doors having variousthicknesses so as to urge said lower end of said platelike structureoutwardly therefrom in a leverage-like manner to firmly anchor saidplatelike structure to said upper horizontal portion of said mainsupport member in a substantially vertical relationship therewith, andpulley means fixedly attached to said base portion of said trianglereceiving said traction cord intermediate the ends thereof.

6. The device of claim 5 in which said main support member isplastic-coated with a coating consisting of vinyl chloride resin.

1. An over-a-door support for cervical traction apparatus having a headsupport including a head sling, a weight and a traction cord attached atone end to said weight and at the other end to said head support, saidover-a-door support comprising a main support member including avertical portion for contiguously engaging one side of a variety ofdifferent doors having various thicknesses and a base portion forextending horizontally outward from the side of the door, said mainsupport member including an upper horizontal portion attached to saidvertical portion adjacent the upper end thereof for reaching over thetop of the door, bracket means coMprising substantially verticalplatelike structure including a lower portion for engaging one side ofthe door and including an upper portion slidably attached to said upperhorizontal portion and defining holding means including a transverseslot having inwardly and outwardly directed arcuate portions for holdingsaid vertical portion in constant contiguous engagement with the door,and pulley means fixedly attached to said base portion receiving saidtraction cord intermediate the ends thereof. subjacent
 2. An over-a-doorsupport for cervical traction apparatus having a head support includinga head sling, a weight and a traction cord attached at one end to saidweight and at the other end to said head support, said over-a-doorsupport comprising a main support member including a vertical portionfor contiguously engaging one side of a variety of different doorshaving various thicknesses and a base portion for extending horizontallyoutward from the side of the door, said main support member including anupper horizontal portion attached to said vertical portion adjacent theupper end thereof for reaching over the top of the door, bracket meansslidably attached to said upper horizontal portion for holding saidvertical portion in constant contiguous engagement with the door, andpulley means fixedly attached to said base portion receiving saidtraction cord intermediate the ends thereof; said bracket meansincluding platelike structure provided with a transverse slot adjacentthe upper end thereof for slidably receiving said upper horizontalportion of said main support member, said platelike structure includingan inwardly directed radius superjacent said slot and an outwardlydirected radius subjacent said slot respectively defining the upper andlower surfaces of said slot for diggingly engaging the respective upperand lower surfaces of said upper horizontal portion of said main supportmember selectively along the length thereof so as to maintain a rigidsubstantially parallel relationship with said vertical portion of saidmain support member for engaging the opposite side of a variety ofdifferent doors having various thicknesses.
 3. The device of claim 2 inwhich said platelike structure of said bracket means includes aninwardly directed bowed portion adjacent the lower end thereof fortangentially engaging the opposite side of a variety of different doorshaving various thicknesses.
 4. The device of claim 1 in which said mainsupport member is plastic-coated with a coating consisting of vinylchloride resin.
 5. An over-a-door support for cervical tractionapparatus having a head support including a head sling, a weight and atraction cord attached at one end to said weight and at the other end tosaid head support, said over-a-door support comprising a main supportmember having a right triangular-like shape including a vertical portionfor contiguously engaging one side of a variety of different doorshaving various thicknesses with the base portion of said triangleextending horizontally outward from the surface of the door, said mainsupport member including an upper horizontal portion integrally attachedto said vertical portion adjacent the upper end thereof for reachingover the top of the door, bracket means including platelike structureprovided with a transverse slot adjacent the upper end thereof forslidably receiving said upper horizontal portion of said main supportmember, said platelike structure including an inwardly directed radiussuperjacent said slot and an outwardly directed radius subjacent saidslot respectively defining the upper and lower surfaces of said slot fordiggingly engaging the respective upper and lower surfaces of said upperhorizontal portion of said main support member selectively along thelength thereof, said platelike structure including an inwardly directedbowed portion adjacent the lower end thereof for tangentially engagingthe opposite side of a variety of different doors having variousthicknesses so aS to urge said lower end of said platelike structureoutwardly therefrom in a leverage-like manner to firmly anchor saidplatelike structure to said upper horizontal portion of said mainsupport member in a substantially vertical relationship therewith, andpulley means fixedly attached to said base portion of said trianglereceiving said traction cord intermediate the ends thereof.
 6. Thedevice of claim 5 in which said main support member is plastic-coatedwith a coating consisting of vinyl chloride resin.